The High Court has handed down its judgment in the long running
defamation action brought by the former Conservative MP for
Eastbourne, Nigel Waterson, against Stephen Lloyd MP, Liberal, and
his election agent, Miss Rebecca Carr. The High Court's
decision is attached.

Nigel Adams of Goodman Derrick LLP acted for Mr Lloyd and Miss
Carr in their successful defence of the defamation claim brought by
Mr Waterson.

The case concerned statements made in election leaflets issued
by Mr Lloyd and Miss Carr in the run up to the General Election in
2010 – statements which criticised as "a scandal"
certain aspects of Mr Waterson's expenses claims which he made
while he was in office. Mr Waterson objected to the adverse
characterisation of his expenses claims in the leaflets as he
stated that his expenses claims were within Parliamentary
rules.

Building on the successful appeal to the Court of Appeal made by
Mr Lloyd and Miss Carr earlier this year, the High Court found
today that an honest person could have held the view that it was a
"scandal" for Mr Waterson to have claimed nearly
£70,000 from the taxpayer for a family home 60 miles from his
then constituency in Eastbourne. The Court went on to rule
that Mr Waterson's claim ought not to proceed to a full trial
and gave judgment in the case to Mr Lloyd and Miss Carr.

"I am delighted at the outcome for my clients Mr Lloyd
MP and Miss Carr. The previous decision in the Court of Appeal was
focussed on the meaning of the words complained of by Mr Waterson,
now the High Court have made their final judgement which hopefully
brings this case to a close for all parties and which
demonstrates the Court's policy of supporting open political
campaigning in this country. In striking a balance between
free speech and protection of the individual, the Court have
understood the context in which the statements are made and the
mood of the public as regards the subject of MPs expenses. My
clients' comments were made in the midst of an election
campaign and the Court has supported the right to make challenging
statements."

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